…s a defense against the inevitable pain of the human condition. Dr. Robert Firestone describes this condition in his blog “Life-Affirming Death Awareness:” Most people spend their lifetime without a great deal of self-awareness, living lives of emptiness and drudgery based on their early programming. They rarely reflect on their circumstances but rather are addicted to a lifestyle of form and routine. Few develop a life plan or project that gives…
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…with, this person I love. Yet…can love be defined? And if so, how? Robert Firestone, Lisa Firestone and Joyce Catlett have tackled this question in a forthright manner in their book: Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships. “In the authors’ view, behaviors that fit the description of a loving relationship are expressions of affection, both physical and emotional; a wish to offer pleasure and satisfaction to one’s mate; tenderness, compassion, and…
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…r a winner in these arguments. As my father psychologist and author Robert Firestone says, “You may win the battle, but you will lose the war.” Keep perspective on what’s important. If your goal is really to be close again, then sometimes it’s worth just dropping the past, putting down your guard, and simply being nice to each other. Unilateral disarmament can be a first step to getting back the easy and loving flow of feelings between you and you…
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…his inclination toward form over substance is what psychologist Dr. Robert Firestone, refers to as the “fantasy bond.” This illusion of connection allows us to feel secure and attached to a person without having a real feeling of love for that person. We are less threatened by a “fantasy bond” then a real connection, as it allows us to feel that we are not alone or that we are taken care of, while diminishing the pain or vulnerability that comes w…
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…as been replaced by an illusion of connection, or what psychologist Robert Firestone refers to as the “Fantasy Bond.” The fantasy bond is a mode of relating in which couples interact in a manner of form that enables them to imagine that they are close while maintaining emotional distance. Individuals in these relationships are acting on an unconscious fear of intimacy that influences them to not be vulnerable to their partners. Couples in a fantas…
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…iewing, and assessing violent individuals, along with my father Dr. Robert Firestone, I began to recognize certain “voices” (negative thought processes) that flood the minds of these individuals influencing them to engage in acts of violence. These “voices” aren’t experienced as hallucinations but rather are a systematic pattern of negative thoughts against to the self, and hostile and suspicious toward others. We call these destructive thoughts “…
Learn More…PsychAlive has a new YouTube channel featuring videos from Dr. Daniel Siegel, Dr. Robert Firestone, Dr. Lisa Firestone and more! Visit us to explore issues of self, intimacy and parenting. Subscribe today!…
Learn More…PsychAlive has a new YouTube channel featuring videos from Dr. Daniel Siegel, Dr. Robert Firestone, Dr. Lisa Firestone and more! Visit us to explore issues of self, intimacy and parenting. Subscribe today!…
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by Robert W. Firestone, Ph.D. Lisa A. Firestone, Ph.D. Joyce Catlett, M.A. Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion offers a compilation of therapeutic insights that are valuable in achieving a better way of living. It describes a unique experience in applied psychology whereby a group of individuals challenged a wide range of defensive behaviors and transformed their lives. The authors indicate how these insights can be applied by therapists in…
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by Robert W. Firestone, Ph.D. Joyce Catlett, M.A. Forward by Jon Carson PsyD, Ed, ABPP. This work is an attempt to explain the source of destructive behavior and how it manifests itself in personal relationships between couples, families and in the social arena. It presents a position that offers a hope of altering the destiny of humankind’s unethical behavior. From the Authors’ Introduction ‘Our inspiration for writing this book springs from a d…
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